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What are Jury Instructions? Jury instructions tell the jury what the laws are that govern a particular case. Each attorney gives the judge a set of proposed jury instructions. The judge considers each instruction and gives the one that properly states the law that applies to the case.

There is no specific dress code for jury duty, but you should avoid clothing that's excessively casual, revealing, or in bad condition. If you're impaneled on a case, the judge may give you additional instructions on what to wear to court.

(B) "Special jury instructions," meaning instructions from other sources, those specially prepared by the party, or approved instructions that have been substantially modified by the party.

Either before or after the closing arguments by the lawyers, the judge will explain the law that applies to the case to you. This is the judge's instruction to the jury. You have to apply that law to the facts, as you have heard them, in arriving at your verdict.

Due to the dignity of Court proceedings, it is requested you wear business casual attire. The following are NOT permitted in the courtrooms: Hats, shorts, tank top, flip flops or beach attire.

Any jurors who wish to do so may take notes during the course of this trial. Some jurors may feel that notes are helpful, particularly if the case involves any complicated issues.

About Court Rules and Jury Instructions They include required procedures for commencing actions, time limitations, rules for parties, motions, and trials, and other directives in civil and criminal actions and proceedings.

For jury instructions to be effective, they must be clear and simple. Sentences should be short; instruc- • tions should contain no more than a few sentences, cover only one topic, and be directly related to the circumstances of the case (they should not be abstract statements of the law).

The judge will instruct the jury in each separate case as to the law of that case. For example, in each criminal case, the judge will tell the jury, among other things, that a defendant charged with a crime is presumed to be innocent and the burden of proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is upon the Government.